Weaver Weaves Shutout, Saints Blank Gamblers

DUBUQUE, Iowa — In his second start in a Dubuque Fighting Saints uniform during the 2017 preseason, Cole Weaver backstopped the home squad and held the fort for all 60 minutes on Friday night, as the Saints blanked the Green Bay Gamblers 2-0 at the Mystique Community Ice Center. Weaver made 21 saves in the shutout effort.

The 19-year-old goaltender made 8 saves in the first and third periods, and while there were only five shots on goal in the second period, he dealt with long stretches of Gamblers offensive zone time. His performance notched him first star honors on Friday night.

The Saints received quick-strike offense in both the first and third periods from newcomers. Jake Transit got the scoring party started on a set up from Alex Steeves and Bauer Neudecker. Steeves’ backhand shot ricocheted off of the shoulder of Gamblers goaltender Juraj Sklenar and dropped right at Transit’s feet, and he bashed the rebound home for the 1-0 lead.

It would take two full periods later for the offense to come alive again, after a largely silent second period for Dubuque. Steeves went back to work, setting up a tapestry of a goal from Matthew Brown. While the third-year USHLer dragged the puck behind the net, he spotted and fed a wide-open Brown between the circles, whose shot went bar down on backup Jake Begley to spot the home team a 2-0 lead.

The Fighting Saints’ offense has been rather prevalent in the preseason, as they have notched 15 goals in the first four games. The defense shined, however, as they allowed the fewest shots on goal in a preseason game thus far, and the fewest goals against in the shutout effort.

Neither team could capitalize on the power play on this night.

The Fighting Saints are back in action Saturday at the Cornerstone Community Center in De Pere, Wis. to take on the Green Bay Gamblers at 7:05 p.m. Catch all of the action on Dubuque’s Super Hits 106.1 FM starting at 6:50 p.m., starting with the pregame show.